Dorchester: Seletboard Chairman Re-elected; Floor Meeting on Saturday

Dorchester — Selectboard Chairman Sherman Hallock survived a challenge from a former Planning Board member during Australian ballot voting yesterday.

Contender Michael Howe garnered 53 votes, short of Hallock’s 84.

Action on the remaining warrant articles will be conducted from the floor Saturday at 10 a.m. at Town Hall, where voters will face a nearly $431,000 operating budget — up less than $600 from 2012 — and decide whether to spend $20,000 from surplus funds on renovations to the 185-year-old Town Hall and 90-year-old town office building.

Two of the three other warrant articles that involve spending would come from the fund balance as well, if voters approve. They include adding $2,500 to the building maintenance capital reserve fund and placing $300 in the conservation fund.

If all spending is approved, the amount to be raised by taxes would increase by about $1,000 compared to last year.